Regional Ocean Partnership Act This bill allows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to designate and support Regional Ocean Partnerships between coastal states that share a common ocean or coastal area or border the Great Lakes. It also allows partnerships between coastal states and non-coastal states that share a common watershed or would contribute to the priorities of the partnership. Specifically, NOAA may designate a partnership as a Regional Ocean Partnership if it (1) is established to coordinate the management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources among state governments and Indian tribes; (2) focuses on the environmental issues affecting the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas of the coastal states participating in the partnership; (3) complements existing coastal and ocean management efforts of states and Indian tribes on an interstate scale, focusing on shared regional priorities; (4) does not have a regulatory function; and (5) is not duplicative of an existing Regional Ocean Partnership. The bill designates the following entities as Regional Ocean Partnerships: the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, and the West Coast Ocean Alliance. Each partnership must maintain mechanisms for coordination, consultation and engagement with the federal government, Indian tribes, nongovernmental entities, and other federally mandated regional entities. A partnership may use provided federal funds to award grants and enter into contracts for certain purposes, including to monitor the water quality and living resources of multistate ocean and coastal ecosystems.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-78.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-78.
AlabamaAquatic ecologyAtlantic OceanCaliforniaCongressional oversightConnecticutDelawareEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental educationEnvironmental healthFloridaGovernment studies and investigationsGulf of MexicoIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relationsLouisianaMaineMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarylandMassachusettsMississippiNew HampshireNew JerseyNew York StateOregonPacific OceanRegional and metropolitan planningResearch administration and fundingRhode IslandState and local government operationsTexasVermontVirginiaWashington StateWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protection
Regional Ocean Partnership Act
USA117th CongressS-1894| Senate
| Updated: 2/15/2022
Regional Ocean Partnership Act This bill allows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to designate and support Regional Ocean Partnerships between coastal states that share a common ocean or coastal area or border the Great Lakes. It also allows partnerships between coastal states and non-coastal states that share a common watershed or would contribute to the priorities of the partnership. Specifically, NOAA may designate a partnership as a Regional Ocean Partnership if it (1) is established to coordinate the management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources among state governments and Indian tribes; (2) focuses on the environmental issues affecting the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas of the coastal states participating in the partnership; (3) complements existing coastal and ocean management efforts of states and Indian tribes on an interstate scale, focusing on shared regional priorities; (4) does not have a regulatory function; and (5) is not duplicative of an existing Regional Ocean Partnership. The bill designates the following entities as Regional Ocean Partnerships: the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, and the West Coast Ocean Alliance. Each partnership must maintain mechanisms for coordination, consultation and engagement with the federal government, Indian tribes, nongovernmental entities, and other federally mandated regional entities. A partnership may use provided federal funds to award grants and enter into contracts for certain purposes, including to monitor the water quality and living resources of multistate ocean and coastal ecosystems.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-78.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-78.
AlabamaAquatic ecologyAtlantic OceanCaliforniaCongressional oversightConnecticutDelawareEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental educationEnvironmental healthFloridaGovernment studies and investigationsGulf of MexicoIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relationsLouisianaMaineMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarylandMassachusettsMississippiNew HampshireNew JerseyNew York StateOregonPacific OceanRegional and metropolitan planningResearch administration and fundingRhode IslandState and local government operationsTexasVermontVirginiaWashington StateWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protection